Background: Introduction to China-EU summit

The China-EU Summit is the highest-level dialogue between the two sides. During the annual event, leaders from China and the EU discuss regional and international issues of common concerns.

The first China-EU Summit took place in April 1998 in London, when the UK held the rotating presidency of the Council of Ministers of the EU.

Then Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji met with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and the president of the European Commission Jose Santer. After the meeting, the two sides issued "a Joint Statement", hoping to build a stable constructive partnership and make the summit an annual event.